Author: chicagoinquirer

by Rebecca Santana and Lisa Mascaro WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defiantly defended the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies on Thursday during a House committee hearing, portraying migrants as a major threat faced by the nation that justifies a crackdown that has seen widespread arrests, deportations and a dizzying pace of restrictions on foreigners. Noem, who heads the agency central to President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration, received backup from Republicans on the panel but faced fierce questioning from Democrats — including many who called for her resignation over the mass deportation agenda. The secretary’s testimony was immediately…

by Isabella Volmert, Obed Lamy and Thomas Beaumont INDIANAPOLIS  — Indiana’s Republican-led Senate decisively rejected a redrawn congressional map Thursday that would have favored their party, defying months of pressure from President Donald Trump and delivering a stark setback to the White House ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The vote was overwhelmingly against the proposed redistricting, with more Republicans opposing than supporting the measure, signaling the limits of Trump’s influence even in one of the country’s most conservative states. Trump has been urging Republicans nationwide to redraw their congressional maps in an unusual campaign to help the party maintain…

by Joseph Omoremi CHICAGO, IL- A wake up call has gone to Black communities to re-direct their resources and talents to GM-Bank and patronize African stores instead of begging and  appealing to owners of major stores leaving such communities. “The era of begging and appealing to major stores that are closing shops in our communities is over” said 17th Ward Alderman David Moore and urged African Americans to embrace African foods readily available in African stores within and nearby our communities. Addressing the 10th anniversary of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) Sunday night at Malcolm X College in…

by Ope Adetayo LAGOS, Nigeria — The apparent leader of a failed coup in Benin was on the run and the fate of hostages remained unclear a day after a group of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government of the West African nation. The soldiers calling themselves the Committee for Refoundation stormed the national television station early Sunday morning. Led by Benin army officer Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, eight soldiers appeared in a broadcast announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon, dissolution of the government and suspension of all state institutions. By Sunday afternoon, the coup was foiled by Benin’s…

by Steve Megargee GREEN BAY, Wis.  — Just when it appeared Caleb Williams was on the verge of completing yet another fourth-quarter comeback, he made a regrettable pass on Sunday that knocked the Chicago Bears out of the NFC North lead. The Bears trailed 28-21 and faced fourth-and-1 from Green Bay’s 14-yard line when Williams faked a handoff and rolled to his left. Rather than checking down or trying to run for the first down, Williams threw into the end zone. Bears tight end Cole Kmet had gotten behind cornerback Keisean Nixon, but Williams’ pass was underthrown. Nixon made a…

by Jenna Fryer CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — Retired NBA great Michael Jordan took the stand at the landmark NASCAR antitrust case and testified Friday that he has been a fan of the stock car series since he was a child but felt he had little choice but to sue to force changes in a business model he sees shortchanging teams and drivers risking their lives to keep the sport going. Jordan testified before a packed courtroom for an hour. His celebrity drew quips from the judge and even a defense attorney as he outlined why the team he co-owns, 23XI, had…

by Aamer Madhani, Chinedu Asadu and Ruth Alonga BY AAMER MADHANI, CHINEDU ASADU AND WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump praised the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their courage as they signed onto a deal on Thursday aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo and opening the region’s critical mineral reserves to the U.S. government and American companies. The moment offered Trump — who has repeatedly and with a measure of exaggerationboasted of brokering peace in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts — another chance to tout himself as a dealmaker extraordinaire on the…

by Mike Balsamo and Steve Karnowski MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities are preparing a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that would primarily focus on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S., according to a person familiar with the planning. The move comes as President Donald Trump again on Tuesday escalated rhetoricabout Minnesota’s sizable Somali community, saying he did not want immigrants from the east African country in the U.S. because “they contribute nothing.” The enforcement operation could begin in the coming days and is expected to focus on the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and people with final orders of deportation, the…

ALGIERS, Algeria  — African leaders pushed Sunday to have colonial-era crimes recognized, criminalized and addressed through reparations. At a conference in Algiers, diplomats and leaders convened to advance an African Union resolution passed at a meeting earlier this year calling for justice and reparations for victims of colonialism. In his opening speech, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said Algeria’s experience under French rule underscored the need to seek compensation and reclaim stolen property. A legal framework, he added, would ensure restitution is seen as “neither a gift nor a favor.” “Africa is entitled to demand the official and explicit recognition…

by Associated Press A major snowstorm in the Midwest and Great Lakes brought winter to some Thanksgiving travelers, and forecasters said the northeast U.S. could get its own early winter storm next week. Winter storm warnings and advisories extended from Montana to Ohio, the National Weather Service said. Forecasters warned there could be airport delays and slowed traffic with snow falling at more than an inch (2.5 centimeters) per hour in some areas. The storm dumped more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow on northern Iowa by Saturday morning, and at least that much was expected in Chicago, elsewhere…